
In the recent past, we have witnessed quite a few incidents of large fires in buildings across the UAE. As a result, the insurers and the re-insurers have tightened their underwriting by
In the recent past, we have witnessed quite a few incidents of large fires in buildings across the UAE. As a result, the insurers and the re-insurers have tightened their underwriting by
In the recent past, we have witnessed quite a few incidents of large fires in buildings across the UAE. As a result, the insurers and the re-insurers have tightened their underwriting by
Increasing property insurance premium rates and imposing restrictive conditions in the insurance policies. The focus has shifted to proper risk management with respect to identifiable hazards in building construction and housekeeping.
One of the major fire hazards that have been identified is the external panels (ACP Panels) of buildings containing combustible materials. This is commonly referred to as “Cladding”. The panels commonly contain a polyethylene core as the insulation material. These panels can easily ignite and the fire can spread quickly due to the presence of the material. In the UAE, most high-rise buildings have external panels containing combustible materials.
However, all claddings are not equally hazardous and the following table will illustrate the differences.
Type of Insulation Core Material used | Rockwool | Polyurethane Foam (PUF) |
---|---|---|
Combustibility | Non Combustible | Highly Combustible |
Colour | White | Black |
Looks like | Chopped white cotton | Rigid Foam |
Risk | Low hazard | High Hazard |
Fire Rated | Fire Rated | Non Fire Rated |
In many countries like USA and UK, due to the strict test protocols for building codes, buildings are more resistant to external wall fire. UAE is also following suit to regulate building codes with respect to usage of external panels with combustible insulation core. However, at this moment, building managers should be more aware of the various building hazards and take necessary steps to mitigate risks. Apart from construction, various other hazards exist in buildings which also need to be taken care of.
There are some inherent difficulties in fighting fires for high-rise buildings. According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), “High-rise buildings present several unique challenges not found in traditional low-rise buildings; longer egress times and distance, evacuation strategies, fire department accessibility, smoke movement and fire control. The multiple floors of a high-rise building create the cumulative effect of requiring great numbers of persons to travel great vertical distances on stairs in order to evacuate the building” The following illustration can help in highlighting some of those measures that can be included in the risk management programme of a building.
The following illustration can help in highlighting some of those measures that can be included in the risk management programme of a building.
If ACP has PU Foam as Core Insulation Material.
Fire Hazards to watch out for
APPLY
The following illustration can help in highlighting some of those measures that can be included in the risk management programme of a building.
AVOID
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